This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

The front entry offers a warm welcome that sets the tone for the entire home starting with the refinished staircase with modern square stair treads and black spindles, board and batten wainscoting, and beautiful blonde LVP flooring.

Custom Stair Runner in Old Bridge, NJ by G. Fried Carpet & Design in Paramus, NJ. Photo Credit: Ivan Bader

This slat wall is a creative way to let light pass through the stairway and flood into the lower floor.

This Cardiff home remodel truly captures the relaxed elegance that this homeowner desired. The kitchen, though small in size, is the center point of this home and is situated between a formal dining room and the living room. The selection of a gorgeous blue-grey color for the lower cabinetry gives a subtle, yet impactful pop of color. Paired with white upper cabinets, beautiful tile selections, and top of the line JennAir appliances, the look is modern and bright. A custom hood and appliance panels provide rich detail while the gold pulls and plumbing fixtures are on trend and look perfect in this space. The fireplace in the family room also got updated with a beautiful new stone surround. Finally, the master bathroom was updated to be a serene, spa-like retreat. Featuring a spacious double vanity with stunning mirrors and fixtures, large walk-in shower, and gorgeous soaking bath as the jewel of this space. Soothing hues of sea-green glass tiles create interest and texture, giving the space the ultimate coastal chic aesthetic.

Projet de rénovation intégrale d'une maison. Accompagnement pour la sélection de l'ensemble des revêtements et couleur afin de donner un nouveau visage et lumière à chaque pièce. L'envie des motifs classiques et géométriques se marient parfaitement bien avec les camaïeux des bleus et pastel. Le sol en hexagone tricolore dans le gris et rose pâle de la cuisine est contrasté avec les matériaux nobles et naturels tels que le granit noir du Zimbabwe, l'acajou, les façades blanches et la structure en métal noire de la verrière.

Stair Railing Modernization

Roger Oates Kobe Jade stair runner carpet fitted to white painted staircase with Brushed Chrome stair rods

John Neitzel

This is a Toll Brothers home with craftsmen newels, square white balusters, and stained oak treads and risers. Pictures taken by Catie Hope of Hope Vine Photography.

The client’s coastal New England roots inspired this Shingle style design for a lakefront lot. With a background in interior design, her ideas strongly influenced the process, presenting both challenge and reward in executing her exact vision. Vintage coastal style grounds a thoroughly modern open floor plan, designed to house a busy family with three active children. A primary focus was the kitchen, and more importantly, the butler’s pantry tucked behind it. Flowing logically from the garage entry and mudroom, and with two access points from the main kitchen, it fulfills the utilitarian functions of storage and prep, leaving the main kitchen free to shine as an integral part of the open living area. An ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Royal Oaks Design Designer: Kieran Liebl From: Oakdale, Minnesota

Flared Foyer Staircase with inset Molding Details.

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn